Chapter 37: Splitting the Cake, the Heavenly Emperor's Decision

Gu Lin Tian's loud and joy-filled voice echoed throughout the square.

"Reward!"

This word made all the Gu family members present instantly energized.

They each craned their necks, eyes wide round,

curiously gazing at the family head and young master on the high platform.

They all wanted to know what reward the family head would give for this young master who had achieved an unprecedented feat,

who had brought the family an auspicious omen of a whole new world.

Could it be the legendary Immortal Scripture Treasure Canon?

Or the supreme attack divine weapon?

Or perhaps directly naming him the sole heir to the next generation family head, announcing it to the whole clan?

"Big brother, you better be generous this time! Yuan'er has achieved heavenly merit!"

Third Elder Gu Xue Dao chimed in from the side, shouting for fear the world would not be chaotic.

"Exactly! Family head, this young master's merit deserves a reward! A great reward!"

"That's right! Our Gu family has always been clear about rewards and punishments, never stingy to those who have merit!"

The other venerable elders in the council also chimed in agreement.

Their gazes toward Gu Yuan were full of kindness and admiration.

This nephew has brought them great honor!

Gu Lin Tian laughed heartily, he raised his hand and pressed down, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Everyone, rest assured, I, Gu Lin Tian, am not a stingy person."

He turned his body, his gaze falling on Gu Yuan, his eyes full of indulgence.

"Yuan'er, tell me what you want! As long as I have it, as long as the Gu family has it, even if it's the stars in the sky, I will pluck them down for you!"

As soon as he said that, the whole place erupted again.

My heavens!

What doting love the family head shows!

This is practically pampering the young master to the heavens!

"As long as you want it, as long as I have it"—isn't this the ultimate favoritism?

Countless younger generation Gu family members looked at Gu Yuan with eyes full of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Comparing people to people, it's enough to make one die of anger!

They were still fighting over a few pieces of divine source and a few bottles of elixir, bloodied and bruised.

As for him, it's simply the whole family's treasury, free for the taking!

Is this the difference between the direct line and the branch?

No, this is no longer just the difference between direct and branch; it's the difference between man and god!

Gu Yuan heard his father's words,

although he had long known what he would receive,

but he still had to play the part fully.

He maintained a humble appearance, bowing again to Gu Lin Tian, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"Father's deep kindness, I, your subject, am endlessly grateful. But I believe this campaign's merit is not mine alone; it is the result of the ancestors' awesome divine power, Father's strategic planning, the Third Uncle and all the soldiers fighting bravely, and the whole clan working together in unity."

"I, your subject, merely happened to be there and dare not claim credit."

"As for the reward, I, your subject, have just embarked on the path of cultivation, my foundation unsteady, I dare not ask for too much; everything shall be as Father decides."

His words were flawless, logical and well-founded.

They praised both the ancestors and the father,

praised the Third Uncle and the soldiers,

and placed himself in a humble, eager-to-learn position.

On the high platform, Great Elder Gu Linjiang, after hearing this,

a flash of light passed through his murky old eyes, he stroked his beard and nodded satisfied.

"Good! Well said!"

"Not arrogant, not impatient, not greedy for credit, not boastful! Steady in character, mindful of the greater good! Family head, you have raised a fine son! Our Gu family has successors!"

To receive such high praise from the Great Elder,

is a unique honor among the younger generation of the Gu family!

Gu Lin Tian's smile became even more radiant.

He looked at his perfect son, his affection growing ever stronger.

"You little brat, you sure know how to talk."

Gu Lin Tian laughed and scolded.

"However, merit is merit, fault is fault. You're right—everyone who participated in this expedition contributed indispensably!"

He turned his body, facing the whole clan, his voice turning solemn and dignified.

"Convey the family head's order!"

"All soldiers who participated in this expedition, regardless of rank, shall be promoted one level and receive double rewards! Their direct relatives, for the next three generations, shall have all cultivation resources provided by the family!"

Boom!

As soon as this order was issued, the military camp below instantly burst into earth-shaking cheers!

Those victorious soldiers, each one, were so excited their faces turned bright red!

The official rank rises one level, and the reward is doubled!

This is already a heavenly reward!

More importantly, direct relatives up to three generations receive all cultivation resources!

This means that their descendants,

will have a head start far beyond anyone else!

When one attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven!

"Lord Xie!"

"Long live the Lord!"

"Serve the Gu Family unto death! Serve the Young Lord unto death!"

Countless soldiers knelt on one knee in unison, their voices filled with heartfelt zeal and loyalty.

Gu Lin Tian nodded with satisfaction, his gaze then falling on the Grand Elder, Third Elder, and other senior officials.

"Grand Elder, Third Elder, and all elders who participated in this plan, whose meritorious deeds are outstanding, may each enter my Gu Family treasure vault and select any three treasures! Additionally, each shall be granted a strand of the world's origin to contemplate the Dao!"

Sss!

When this reward was announced,

even those Supreme Elders accustomed to grand spectacles,

could not help but gasp sharply.

Being allowed to choose three treasures from the vault is already a great honor!

Let alone a strand of the world's origin!

That is a brand‑new world origin!

Each world has its own uniqueness,

though it is only a strand,

the Daoist principles it contains,

are, for these old beings stuck in the Supreme Realm for countless ten‑thousands of years, no less than a guiding lantern!

Perhaps they could glimpse a sliver of breakthrough opportunity within it!

"We, Lord Xie, are richly bestowed!"

Led by Grand Elder Gu Linjiang, all elders bowed deeply to Gu Lin Tian.

In their hearts, they held deep respect for this family head.

Rewards and punishments are clear; benevolence and authority are applied together—merits are rewarded, faults are punished.

That is what makes a qualified clan leader!

After arranging everyone's rewards, the atmosphere in the plaza reached its peak.

Everyone's gaze once again focused on Gu Yuan.

Even the soldiers and elders receive such generous rewards,

so, as the Young Lord who achieved the first merit,

what earth‑shattering reward should his be?

Amid the expectant gazes of all, Gu Lin Tian took a deep breath.

He slowly extended his hand.

Buzz!

A crystal the size of a human head, entirely of chaotic hue, its surface swirling with billions of law‑binding divine chains, materialized out of thin air in his palm.

It is precisely the one that was extracted from the Profound Heaven Continent,

the complete world origin!

The moment it appeared, the entire Gu Family Divine Island,

all spiritual energy and all Daoist principles seemed frozen!

An unparalleled divine might that sent everyone's souls trembling radiated from that crystal!

"World Origin! It is the complete World Origin Dao Fruit!"

"Heavens! Is this the essence of a world?"

"Too... too beautiful! If I look any longer, my Dao heart will collapse!"

Everyone was immobilized by the imposing presence of the Dao Fruit before them.

Even those Supreme Elders,

breathed rapidly,

their eyes filled with greed and yearning.

They knew that as long as they could obtain this Dao Fruit,

they would have a ninety‑percent chance,

to break through to the Celestial Emperor Realm!

However, in the next moment,

the words Gu Lin Tian uttered struck everyone like a bolt of lightning.

He held the world‑origin Dao Fruit that could drive the entire Celestial Realm mad,

and walked slowly to Gu Yuan's side.

Then, before tens of thousands of

incredulous gazes, he personally handed the Dao Fruit to Gu Yuan.

"Yuan'er."

This is your reward.